USA > Pennsylvania > Delaware County > A history of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, and its people; Volume III > Part 41
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Dr. Schoff is a member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Philadelphia ; the National, State and County Medical associations, and of other professional societies. His clubs are: Spring Haven Country, of Media, and the Racquet, of Philadelphia. He is an interested, active, loyal Republican ; for ten years has been a member of the Board of United States Pension Examiners and is a member of the Media Board of Health. He has not outlived his col- lege love of outdoor sport, and at the country club is known as one of the enthusiastic skillful devotees of the game of golf.
Dr. Schoff married, February 11, 1903, Helen, daughter of Henry Duffee,
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of West Philadelphia, a member of the banking firm, Drexel & Company. Mrs. Schoff is chairman of the woman's committee of the Spring Haven Country Club, interested in social and club life. Children: Helen Banks and Marion Gordon.
Edward Stanton Fry, who throughout his entire active career, which
FRY has been highly successful, has been identified with the city of Chester, is a representative of a family that for several generations have made their home in the state of Pennsylvania, its members in the male line being public-spirited and enterprising, ready to cooperate in any movement for the common welfare, or that tended to promote the material advancement of the communities in which they resided.
Franklin Fry, father of Edward S. Fry, was a native of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, where he was reared and educated, attending the common schools of that day. Later he removed to Reading, Berks county, Pennsylvania, and in 1876 took up his residence in Chester, Delaware county, same state, where he is residing at the present time (1913). He was an iron worker by occupation, and by thrift and industry was enabled to provide a comfortable home for his family and a competence for his declining years. He married Harriet Kutz, and among their children was Edward S., of whom further.
Edward S. Fry was born in Reading, Berks county, Pennsylvania, Febru- ary II, 1872. He acquired a practical education in the public schools of the neighborhood, completing his studies at the age of sixteen. His first employ- ment was in a roller mill, the duties of which he performed in a satisfactory manner, winning the approval of his employers. Having decided upon an entirely different business course, he devoted his attention to familiarizing him- self with the details of the undertaking business, which he learned thoroughly, beginning his preparation for the same in Chester in 1892. He opened an establishment at No. 214 Morton street, where he remained for a short period of time, removing from there to No. 2211 Third street, and at the expiration of one year, in June, 1901, purchased the ground and erected his present attractive brick block at No. 2121 Third street, which is thoroughly equipped with every modern convenience, this being considered the leading establishment in that line in that vicinity. Mr. Fry, who is still in the very prime of vigorous manhood, has by his own unaided efforts attained a prominent place in business circles, and has earned a reputation for sterling integrity and straightforward business transactions. He has served two terms as coroner, enjoying the distinction of being the only incumbent of that office in Chester in twenty years to have that honor conferred upon him twice. He discharged the duties of that office with signal ability and scrupulous integrity, and his public spirit has been manifested in the deep interest he has taken in the Felton Fire Company, of which he is a member. He is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks and the Improved Order of Red Men.
Mr. Fry married, September 3, 1891, Emma, daughter of Thomas Mitchell. They were the parents of four children, three of whom are living, as follows: Ethel, Emma, Dorothy.
Grace Deflager, a very estimable resident of Clifton Heights, DEFLAGER Delaware county, Pennsylvania, where she is noted for the marked interest she takes in whatever concerns the welfare of the community, is descended from an honorable family of Ireland.
John McNamee, her father. was a native of Ireland, in which land his
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entire life was spent. He married (first) in county Donegal, in which he resided, Rose Sharkey, and had children: Daniel and Hugh, deceased; and Grace, whose name is at the head of this sketch. He married (second) Mary McNamee, and had children : Mary, Sarah, Hannah, John, Charles, Jane, Eliz- abeth, Catherine, Margaret and Theresa.
Grace (McNamee) Deflager was born in Ireland in 1846, and was edu- cated in the schools of that country. She was about fifteen years of age when she came to this country, and made her home with an aunt, Mrs. Grace Gibbons, of Kellyville, Delaware county, Pennsylvania. There she met Sarafine Deflager, whom she married in 1877. He was born in France and died in Clifton, Dela- ware county, where he had been engaged in what is known as the warp dressing trade. At the time of his death he had been a resident of the United States for a period of forty years. They had children : Rosa, who married John Caulklin, of Garrettford, and died at the age of twenty-four years; Charles Joseph, who is in business as a weaver ; John Francis, who is a slater by vocation ; Daniel Aloysius, who is also a weaver by occupation. John Francis Deflager married Mary Durken, a native of Ireland. Mrs. Grace Deflager is a woman of an unusual amount of energy and business ability. The house in which she now resides with her sons, Charles J. and John F., at the corner of Walnut and Fair- view avenues, was erected under her personal supervision, and many of the ideas carried out in it were original with her. She is an active church worker, and her name is a foremost one in all charitable undertakings.
WAY Delaware county, Pennsylvania, figures as one of the most attractive, progressive and prosperous divisions of the state, justly claiming a high order of citizenship and a spirit of enterprise which is certain to conserve consecutive development and marked advancement in the material upbuilding of this section. The county has been and is signally favored in the class of men who have contributed to its development along commercial and agricultural lines and in the latter connection Harry C. Way demands recog- nition, as he was engaged in farming operations during practically the entire period of his active career. He was long known as a prosperous and enter- prising agriculturist and one whose business methods demonstrate the power of activity and honesty in the business world. In 1872 Mr. Way purchased Rocky Hill Farm, eligibly located one and one-eighth miles distant from Chadds Ford, and there was engaged in diversified agriculture until 1912, when his estate was purchased by J. J. Martin, who desired the property for a summer home. Since that time Mr. Way has lived virtually retired at Chadds Ford, where he has been supervisor for the past thirteen years and where he is likewise a member of the school board.
Jacob Way, paternal grandfather of Harry C. Way, was born at Kennett Square, Chester county, Pennsylvania. As a young man he learned the trade of blacksmith and for many years was engaged in that line of work. Eventually, however, he purchased a farm in the vicinity of Fairville, Chester county, this state, and there he passed the remainder of his natural life. In politics he was an old-line Whig, and in religious matters he and his wife were Hicksite Quakers. The maiden name of his wife was Elizabeth Mendenhall ; she died at Fairville, and she bore him the following children : Moses, never married ; Ann, became the wife of William Cochrane: William P., married Anna R. Cox: Franklin, married Ura Entricken; Elizabeth, died unmarried in 1881; Sarah, died unmarried. All of the above children are deceased.
William P. Way, father of Harry C. Way, was born at Moores Place, Chester county, Pennsylvania, October 27, 1820. He passed his boyhood and
eway
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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youth on his father's farm near Fairville and availed himself of the advantages afforded in the neighboring district schools. On completing his education he learned the trade of carpenter, but subsequently forsook that line of work in order to engage in farming. He owned an estate of one hundred and twelve acres near Fairville, in Chester county, and met with unusual success as an agri- culturist. He was formerly a Whig in his political convictions and afterward became a Republican. He served his township as supervisor, school director and as auditor. He died at Fairville, August 4, 1899. He was a man of liberal views and high ideals and as a citizen he was ever on the alert to do all in his power to promote the general welfare of his home community. He married Anna R. Cox, a daughter of John Cox, a farmer near Westtown, Pennsylvania. Her mother was Hannah (Robinson) Cox. Mrs. Way had the following brothers and sisters: Isaac, married Martha Way ; John, married Lydia Moore for his first wife and Phoebe Chambers for his second wife: Sidney, married Elwood Mendenhall ; Deborah, remained single, as did also Mary and Hannah. All of the above are deceased. Mrs. Way died at Fairville, aged eighty-nine years. She was educated at West Ham and prior to her marriage was a popular and successful school teacher in Chester county. She was an orthodox Friend and her husband was a Hicksite Quaker. Mr. and Mrs Way became the par- ents of seven children, as follows: Emma, single and maintains her home at Bayridge, Brooklyn, New York: Harry Clay, of whom further; William J., married Mary Pyle, in 1892, and they live at Fairville ; Howard, died in infancy ; Jacob Edward, married Harriet Brunt and they are residents of Brooklyn, New York : Frank B., married Edith Ochletree. in June, 1891 ; Clarkson Mendenhall, married Daisy Maxwell, in 1891.
Harry Clay Way was born at Hamorton, Chester county, Pennsylvania. September 14. 1848. He was reared to the age of sixteen years on his father's farm and there familiarized himself with the rudiments of agricultural life. After completing the curriculum of the district schools of his native place, he attended the Jesse Sharpless boarding school at Fairville for five terms. In his seventeenth year he went to the state of Delaware and there remained for the ensuing eight years, during which time he was engaged in milling work. Re- turning to Pennsylvania in 1883 he purchased Rocky Hill Farm, which com- prises seventy-eight acres and which is located near Chadds Ford, in Delaware county. He was engaged in general farming and stock raising on this beautiful estate for nearly twoscore years. In 1912 he was prevailed upon to sell it to J. J. Martin, of Philadelphia, who is fitting it up for a country home. After selling his farm Mr. Way removed to the village of Chadds Ford and here is living practically retired from the strenuous cares of business life. He is a stalwart Republican and has long been actively interested in politics. In 1900 he was honored by his fellow citizens with election to the office of supervisor of Chadds Ford and he has been the popular and efficient incumbent of that posi- tion during the past thirteen years. In 1910 he was elected to membership on the school board of Chadds Ford and he is improving every opportunity to advance educational methods in this locality. He is a hard and consistent worker in all matters that demand his attention and he is everywhere regarded as a man of his word. He is genial in his associations, affable in his address, generous in his judgment of his fellow men, and courteous to all. No one is held in higher esteem in Chadds Ford than he.
November 30. 1880, Mr. Way married Josephine Martin, who was born in Chesapeake City, Maryland, March 23, 1857. She is a daughter of William and Sarah ( Brinton) Martin, the former of whom was born at Anvil, Kennett town- ship, Pennsylvania, in 1833, and the latter of whom was a native of Pennsbury
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township, Chester county, Pennsylvania, where her birth occurred in 1831. The father was a farmer by occupation, and he died in March, 1887, at the age of fifty-four years, his wife having passed away in September, 1877, in her forty- sixth year. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Martin: Joseph- ine, born March 23, 1857, wife of Harry C. Way, as already noted; Annie, born February 1, 1860, single; Harrie D., born April 28, 1865, single; William J., born in 1867, married Laura Heibline. Mr. and Mrs. Way have three children : Martin Brinton, born June 13, 1883, married, March 20, 1907, Alice Davis; Howard M., born April 14, 1885. married Helen Pyle, June 15, 1905; Helen M., born December 1, 1890, single, and lives at home with her parents.
DEAVES The original name of the family of which George Washington Deaves, of Llanerch, is a worthy representative, was Douceaux, and they were natives of France, from whence they made their way to the new world in the early period of its history. The great-grandfather of George W. Deaves, named Douceaux, had a grant for the entire island of San Domingo, whereon he resided, and during an outbreak of the natives he and his family came to the United States and never returned. They settled in Mont- gomery county, Pennsylvania, where they spent the remainder of their days, and their descendants resided there for many years.
Lewis Deaves, son of the above mentioned ancestors, was born in Mont- gomery county, Pennsylvania, and he lived and died near Rebel Hill. He was probably engaged in the iron ore business, which was one of the leading indus- tries of that section and times. By his wife Susan he was the father of several children, among whom was Lewis, of whom further.
Lewis (2) Deaves, son of Lewis ( I) and Susan Deaves, was born in Mont- gomery county, Pennsylvania, about 1827. He was brought up and educated there, and in early life turned his attention to farming, finally purchasing his father-in-law's farm, which he tilled until he was accidentally killed by falling from a wagon in the year 1885. He served as supervisor of his township, having been elected on the Democratic ticket. He was a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. He married Hannah B. Hart, born in Dela- ware county. Pennsylvania, about 1835, living at the present time (1913), daughter of Hugh and Ann (Lukens) Hart, old residents of Haverford town- ship, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, where they lived and died, lie an extensive farmer and landowner, and both members of the Society of Friends. Mr. and Mrs. Hart were the parents of six children: 1. Samuel J., resides in Upper Darby township ; retired from active pursuits. 2. Edward J., deceased ; was a soldier of the civil war. 3. William, deceased; was a soldier of the civil war. 4. Martha, deceased ; was the wife of the late John Duffs. 5. Mary, married Henry Jacobs ; resides in Avondale, Chester county, Pennsylvania. 6. Hannah B., wife of Lewis Deaves. Mr. and Mrs. Deaves were the parents of one child, George Washington, of whom further.
George Washington Deaves, son of Lewis (2) and Hannah B. (Hart) Deaves, was born at the intersection of Darby and Eagle roads in what is now Oakmont, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, December 27, 1873. He was educated in the schools of Coopertown. and his first employment was in the foundry busi- ness at Paschallville, in which he continued for about six years. He then turned his attention to general contracting and building, operating largely in the suburban districts of Delaware county, especially in Llanerch, and about one- half of the dwelling houses in that place were erected by him, and their solid and substantial appearance, aside from their architectural attractions, is ample proof that he is master of his art and that he gives the strictest attention to
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every detail of his work. Aside from his business, which occupies so much of his time and thought, he is interested in the welfare of his town and is always ready and willing to further its interests to the best of his ability. Prior to its becoming a township he served for six years as supervisor, as township auditor for two terms, and as township commissioner for two years, and for a number of times has served as delegate to county conventions, performing the duties of each office faithfully and conscientiously. He is a Republican in politics, and a member of the order of Free and Accepted Masons, affiliating with Hamilton Lodge, No. 274, and University Chapter, No. 256.
Mr. Deaves married, September 1, 1895, Gertrude Gilmore, born in Dela- ware county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Maurice E. and Martha ( Burger) Gil- more, who after their marriage resided in Delaware county, Pennsylvania. The father was born in Delaware county, was a builder by trade, and died in Clifton Heights, September 18, 1908, and his wife, who was born in York county, sur- vives him, residing in Clifton Heights. Mr. and Mrs. Deaves had two children : Maurice, who died aged eleven years; Lewis, who died aged eighteen months.
WHITE Many years ago William White of the Lebanon Valley, Pennsyl- vania, married a Miss De Haven, of the Montgomery county family. All of their six children bore their mother's maiden name as a middle name and in this branch of the White family De Haven has been always used as a middle name. This Miss De Haven was of the same family as Jacob De Haven, a wealthy Frenchman of noble birth and ancestry, who with his three brothers. Samuel, Edward and Peter, immigrated to America between with the years 1750 and 1760. It is claimed the four brothers were the sons of Peter De Haven, born 1686, died May 23, 1768, who is buried at the old Blue Bell Church, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, came to America in 1690 with his father, Evert in den Hofen, coming from Mulheim-on-the Ruhr, then in one of the Rhenish states, but now in Westphalia, Germany. The De Haven brothers came from the border provinces, between France and Germany, where they became wealthy in vine culture. They settled with the Swedish settlement near "Swedeland" at the gulf in Upper Merion township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, where they located on a grant purchased of Penn, known as one of the "Penn Grants," a strip seven to eight miles in length, extending from Roxborough to the gulf. The land was held in entail by the eldest brother Jacob for the others, who used its products later during the revo- lution to supply the Continental army while in that section. The De Havens donated the land to the old Swedes church at "Swedeland" upon which it was built and in return were given a family birthright to lots in the burying grounds. All the early De Havens were buried there, in fact they and their descendants make up almost exclusively the burials at that place. The original lands became gradually divided and subdivided among the sons and their sons in farms and to-day their descendants hold most of the land. Jacob De Haven loaned the Continental government through Robert Morris, four hundred and fifty thou- sand dollars in gold that was never returned to him and his latter years were passed in comparative poverty until his death in 1812. Samuel, the second brother, bore arms in the revolution and gave money and supplies to the army. E:'ward. the third brother, settled in Kentucky, while the younger brother, Peter De Haven, lived in Philadelphia and accumulated great wealth by manu- facturing arms and supplying ammunition to the government for which he had a special contract. In 1776 he was ordered by the committee of safety to make public the process of boring gun barrels. He aided the state and government in various public capacities and used his wealth justly.
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Dr. John De Haven White, son of William White, was born in Lebanon Valley, Pennsylvania, 1815, died in Philadelphia, December, 1895. He was a graduate of Jefferson Medical College and of Pennsylvania Dental College, being one of the pioneers, exclusive of Philadelphia. He was noted in his profes- sion and was the first president of the Philadelphia Dental College. One of his famous graduates was Dr. Evans, whom he sent to Paris, as his substitute, when Dr. White was offered the position as dentist to the French Court by Em- peror Napoleon III. Dr. White became most eminent in his profession and had twenty-seven degrees conferred upon him by universities and colleges, both at home and abroad. He was intimately acquainted with many of the great men of his time, including Leland Stanford, the founder of Leland Stantord Uni- versity, California. He was one of the original members of the Union League of Philadelphia and one of the founders of the Republican party of that city.
Dr. John De Haven White married a Miss Meredith. Children : Dr. Horace De Haven, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania in both law and medi- cine, now a retired physician of Philadelphia ; John De Haven, see forward; Maime, died in Philadelphia aged twenty-two years; Sarah De Haven, married William Von Lott, of Philadelphia, whom she survives, a resident of Salem, New Jersey ; David De Haven, died young in Philadelphia.
Dr. Jolın De Haven (2) White, son of Dr. John De Haven ( I) White, was born at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in September, 1848, now living a retired life in Philadelphia. His preparatory education was obtained in the schools of Philadelphia and later he embraced his father's profession, entering Pennsyl- varia Dental College, whence he was graduated D. D. S. He practiced his pro- fession all his active years in Philadelphia, holding high rank among the lead- ers in mo lern dentistry. He was an early member of the Union League, con- tinuing for many years, and a lifelong Republican. He married Mary Fisher, died June, 1910, who was a granddaughter of a second cousin of Daniel Boone, the famous pioneer scout, hunter and frontiersman. Children: Maime Louise, married George T. Lambert, a druggist of Philadelphia ; John De Haven, see forward; Fred S., a special officer of the Erie railroad, residing in Erie county, Pennsylvania.
John De Haven (3) White, eldest son of Dr. John De Haven (2) and Mary ( Fisher ) White, was born in Wallingford, Delaware county, Pennsyl- vania, October 15, 1876. He began school at an early age but an attack of ty- phoid fever deprived him of all school attendance until his twelfth year when he began attending a branch of the Friends' Schools at Media, Delaware county, Pennsylvania. He continued his studies there until 1893 and passed the pre- liminary examination for admission to Swarthmore College, but did not enter. In the spring of 1897 he began the study of law in the office of William R. Schaffer, then district attorney of Delaware county, Pennsylvania. He re- mained there until 1904. when he was admitted to the bar. In 1904, after his admission to the bar. he located in Chester, where he is well established as one of the rising young attorneys of the Delaware county bar. He is a Republi- can in politics, a member of the Young Men's Republican and the Sixth Ward Republican clubs of Chester. He is a member of a large number of societies and orders.
He married, July 8, 1905. Anna, daughter of A. J. Dalton, prothonotary of Delaware county, and his wife, Lucy Dalton, of Upland, Pennsylvania. Chil- dren : Natalie De Haven and Muriel D. White.
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A study of the genealogy of Joseph Dillwyn Durnall reveals in-
DURNALL teresting facts. Through his mother, Sidney Anna (Cox) Durnall, daughter of Caleb H. and Mary H. (Minster) Cox, he descends from John Cox, through his son Richard, his son Joseph, his son Benjamin, who married Hannah Smedley and was the father of Caleb H. Cox. Hannah (Smedley) Cox, born 1758, who married Benjamin Cox in 1780, was a daughter of George (3) Smedley, born 1719, son of George (2), born 1692, son of George ( 1) and Sarah Smedley. George (2) Smedley married, in 1717, in Chester Meeting, Jane Sharpless, born. 1695-96, daughter of John (2) Sharp- less, born at Blakenhall, Cheshire, England, 11 mo. 16, 1666, married, 1692, at a meeting of Friends, held in the house of John Bonater in Middletown, Chester county (now Delaware), Hannah Pennell, daughter of Robert Pennell, who came with Hannah, his wife, from Nottinghamshire, England. John (2) was a son of John (I) Sharpless, baptized at Wybunbury, Cheshire, England, August 15, 1624, the founder of the Sharpless family in America.
Through his grandmother, Sarah P. (Bailey) Durnall, Mr. Durnall de- scends from John Jackson, the founder of that branch in Delaware county, and from John Bartram, the founder of the first botanical garden in this county and the earliest of American botanists. His famous garden, known as "Bar- tram's Garden," is now one of the parks of the city of Philadelphia. Here he erected in 1731 a stone house, yet standing. John Bartram died 9 mo. 22, 1777, eleven days after the battle of Brandywine, and it is said that he was greatly agitated and distributed fearing that with the approach of the British army, after the battle, his cherished gardens, the work of half a century, would be destroyed. John Bartram, "the botanist," was a son of William Bartram and a grandson of John (1) Bartram, the founder of the family in Pennsylvania, coming in the year 1683 and settling in Darby township, west of Darby creek. Thus Mr. Durnall traces to these founders of Pennsylvania and of the Society of Friends, all being of that religious faith, their family records being preserved in the archives of the several Meetings of Chester and Delaware counties.
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